Science may one day guarantee smarter kids. Here’s why many Americans think that’s a problem
Source: Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — Strong religious commitments lead to less support for changing a baby’s DNA, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. But people of faith aren’t the only ones who have concerns about the emerging technology of gene editing.
More than half of U.S. adults (54 percent) believe it’s “very likely” gene editing will be used in morally unacceptable ways, Pew reported. Fifty-eight percent say it’s very likely that inequality will increase with these technological advancements, since only wealthy parents may be able to afford treatments to alter a child’s genes before birth to eliminate disease or enhance physical or mental attributes.
“As people think about a future with possible widespread use of gene editing to change a baby’s genetic makeup, more anticipate negative than positive effects on society,” researchers noted.
Categories: America, Americas, Genetics, Religion, Religion & Science, The Muslim Times, USA